1950 People's Republic of China Gate of Heavenly Peace Series Postage Stamp (3000 Yuan)

This is a vintage postage stamp from the People's Republic of China, specifically part of the 'Gate of Heavenly Peace' definitive series. The stamp is printed in a reddish-brown monochromatic ink on an off-white, slightly cream-toned paper stock. The central artwork depicts the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tiananmen) in Beijing, featuring a Huabiao pillar (ornamental column) on the left side. The top left corner displays the denomination in Chinese characters, '叁仟圓' (Three Thousand Yuan), while the bottom right shows the Arabic numerals '3000'. Along the bottom edge, it bears the inscription '中國人民郵政' (China People's Post). This issue dates definitively to the early 1950s, a period prior to the currency reform of 1955. The stamp is perforated with uneven edges, which is typical for the era. Regarding condition, the perforations appear somewhat irregular and blunted, particularly on the left vertical edge. There are visible signs of aging, including minor toning/foxing on the borders and slight corner wear. The engraving shows crisp lines in the hatching used for the architectural structure and sky, indicating a high-quality intaglio or offset printing process for its time. It remains an important piece of early PRC philatelic history, representing the transitional economic period of the new republic.